Farah Esmail is an accomplished lawyer and strategic business advisor with 20 years’ experience in North America and Africa, and a focus on hiring exceptional talent for emerging markets, social impact, and social enterprise. Her strong background in senior management roles, in corporate governance, legal, strategy and HR make her an invaluable resource to clients in developing strategies and recruiting leadership to drive sustainable growth and make an impact. Professional Focus 20 years’ experience in senior leadership, corporate governance, human resources, consulting, and commercial/corporate law Advises social enterprises and social impact organizations, as well as start-ups, family-run businesses and multinationals in a range of industries Board services, including board training, retreats, evaluations, appointments, family constitution and performance improvement Deep expertise in business and human capital strategy, organizational change, compliance, risk management, business development, strategic partnerships, international best practices Extensive international experience in North America and across Africa Adept at working in multicultural teams and a vast demographic, with strong understanding of cultural, local, regional and international team dynamics Fluent in English Business Expertise Head of Kenya at a global board consulting and search firm based in Nairobi, Kenya HR and Legal Director, East Africa at KK Security (a GardaWorld company), Nairobi, Kenya Group Head of Legal and Human Resources, East Africa Region at Orbit Chemical Industries, Nairobi, Kenya VP and Senior Legal Counsel, Africa Region at Bridge International Academies, Nairobi, Kenya Senior Manager of Board Services of the Toronto District School Board, Toronto, Canada Senior Legal Counsel at Connections Education LLC, Baltimore, U.S. Civil Litigation Associate at Zeppieri and Associates, Toronto, Canada Commercial Litigation Associate at Beard Winter LLP, Toronto, Canada Sector Expertise Corporate Governance/Board Services Internet Governance Social Enterprise/Social Impact Legal Services Human Resources Education Professional Services FMCG Security Technology Education & Certifications MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, Toronto, Canada JD from Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Canada BS (Hons.) in environmental science from University of Toronto, Canada Ontario Bar Admission, Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto Harvard University Certificate Course: Entrepreneurship for Emerging Economies Sirdar Applied Directorship Programme Certificate Course: Corporate Governance Awards & Affiliations CMO Asia Africa's Woman Leadership Award, Johannesburg, South Africa Chair, Boyden Global Emerging Markets Committee Member, Boyden Dispute Resolution Committee Panellist, World Woman Leadership Congress, Mumbai, India Advisory Board member and Panelist, Age of Africa Symposium, University of Toront, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy Board Director, Merican Limited, Nairobi, Kenya Board Director, Sohail Regency Management Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya Board Director, Sports for Change, Nairobi, Kenya Advisor to the Nairobi Securities Exchange and contributes to the ongoing Capital Markets Authority governance regulatory review. Board member and various officer positions, Association of Corporate Counsel, U.S., Canada and Kenya Judge, National Bodybuilding Championship (2018), Kenya Bodybuilding Federation, Nairobi, Kenya Organizing Committee Member, Wild Charge animal conservation non-profit, Nairobi, Kenya Trustee, The Mango Tree Trust education non-profit, Nairobi, Kenya Board Member and Chair, Back on My Feet homeless assistance non-profit, Baltimore, U.S.